Paola Cuffolo - Founder and Artistic Director
Paola first began directing opera during her time as an undergraduate reading Music at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where she co-founded St Peter’s College Opera. She first directed the college production of Così Fan Tutte (2009), followed quickly by their Die Fledermaus (2009), for which she also adapted the libretto. Having finished her studies in 2010, she was invited back to the college to direct their production of The Marriage of Figaro in early 2011, which was said to have been ‘performed […] with astonishing verve’ (Financial Times).
Paola was then fortunate to be able to assist John Ramster at AIMS 2012, working with him on scenes from Louise, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, and La Bohème. During the course, she was also given her own scenes to direct from Così Fan Tutte and Carmen.
In May 2012, Paola and General Director Nicholas Simpson co-founded Opera Lyrica, which seeks to promote singers, players, conductors, and technical staff who are at the beginning of their careers. As Artistic Director, Paola directed their premiere production in October 2012, a double bill of Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor and Die Zauberflöte in St Peter's College, under professional conductor Jonathan Lo, to great acclaim. She also adapted the dialogue for this, re-writing it in the style of Lewis Carroll to fit the Wonderland-inspired production. Their second production, Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, took place in May 2013 under the baton of pianist and conductor Craig Greene, with a setting which ‘would have pleased Rossini with its concept’ (Sophia Lambton, Cherwell). In autumn 2013, Opera Lyrica went on its first tour with a semi-staged production of Handel's Acis and Galatea, including a baroque ensemble under conductor William Cole, which was said to have 'achieved something really quite special' (Joe Richomme, Fringe Opera). Most recently, Opera Lyrica established themselves in London with performances of Così Fan Tutte at the 20th Century Theatre, Notting Hill, which were 'highly intelligent' and 'fresh and engaging' (Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill)
Paola continues to direct freelance and with Opera Lyrica. Future plans include a new production of Verdi's La Traviata, as well as revivals of Così Fan Tutte and the recent semi-staged double bill of Blow's Venus and Adonis and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas ('Bewitching' - Fringe Opera) in May 2015.
Paola is also a freelance mezzo soprano, studying with Susan Roberts, and a regular lecturer for Opera Prelude.
Paola was then fortunate to be able to assist John Ramster at AIMS 2012, working with him on scenes from Louise, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, and La Bohème. During the course, she was also given her own scenes to direct from Così Fan Tutte and Carmen.
In May 2012, Paola and General Director Nicholas Simpson co-founded Opera Lyrica, which seeks to promote singers, players, conductors, and technical staff who are at the beginning of their careers. As Artistic Director, Paola directed their premiere production in October 2012, a double bill of Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor and Die Zauberflöte in St Peter's College, under professional conductor Jonathan Lo, to great acclaim. She also adapted the dialogue for this, re-writing it in the style of Lewis Carroll to fit the Wonderland-inspired production. Their second production, Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, took place in May 2013 under the baton of pianist and conductor Craig Greene, with a setting which ‘would have pleased Rossini with its concept’ (Sophia Lambton, Cherwell). In autumn 2013, Opera Lyrica went on its first tour with a semi-staged production of Handel's Acis and Galatea, including a baroque ensemble under conductor William Cole, which was said to have 'achieved something really quite special' (Joe Richomme, Fringe Opera). Most recently, Opera Lyrica established themselves in London with performances of Così Fan Tutte at the 20th Century Theatre, Notting Hill, which were 'highly intelligent' and 'fresh and engaging' (Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill)
Paola continues to direct freelance and with Opera Lyrica. Future plans include a new production of Verdi's La Traviata, as well as revivals of Così Fan Tutte and the recent semi-staged double bill of Blow's Venus and Adonis and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas ('Bewitching' - Fringe Opera) in May 2015.
Paola is also a freelance mezzo soprano, studying with Susan Roberts, and a regular lecturer for Opera Prelude.
Nicholas Simpson - Founder and General Director
Nicholas discovered his love of opera at a very early age. The first time he was quiet for a two hour span was when he was sat in front of a video of Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the age of 2. Fortunately, in many respects, very little has changed.
Nicholas started working in the theatre environment while still at primary school, being the sound technician for the school play and informal drama in his final year at The Hall. From then on he was involved in the backstage and management teams of countless plays and even musicals and operas at Winchester College. Whilst there, Nicholas also cultivated his love of music, being a music scholar, singing in the chapel choir and playing the piano, clarinet and recorders in many an orchestra and chamber ensemble.
During his gap year, Nicholas studied clarinet at Trinity College of Music before going to Oxford, where he sang in St Peter’s College Choir and read Music at St Edmund Hall. Whilst there, he focused his academic study on opera ranging from its inception through to the twentieth century. His undergraduate dissertation concentrated on Puccini’s Tosca and its European musical and philosophical influences.
In 2012/13, Nicholas was an ambassador for the Royal Opera House, promoting ROH initiatives and productions to the students of Oxford.
Nicholas co-founded Opera Lyrica with director Paola Cuffolo to try to help young singers, musicians, directors, designers, and technicians gain experience in opera as well as to try to increase opera’s audience in general, especially amongst the younger generation.
So far, with Opera Lyrica, Nicholas has produced a double bill of Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor and Die Zauberflöte in Oxford and Sheffield, Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Mozart's Così fan tutte, and an 11 venue tour of the South of England with Handel’s Acis and Galatea. Future Opera Lyrica productions include Verdi's La Traviata and a revival of Mozart's Così fan tutte in May, as well as a revival of the recent double-bill of Blow’s Venus and Adonis and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
Nicholas is also pleased to be a trustee of Opera Prelude, another charity devoted to helping young singers, but through the medium of performance-based lectures.
Nicholas started working in the theatre environment while still at primary school, being the sound technician for the school play and informal drama in his final year at The Hall. From then on he was involved in the backstage and management teams of countless plays and even musicals and operas at Winchester College. Whilst there, Nicholas also cultivated his love of music, being a music scholar, singing in the chapel choir and playing the piano, clarinet and recorders in many an orchestra and chamber ensemble.
During his gap year, Nicholas studied clarinet at Trinity College of Music before going to Oxford, where he sang in St Peter’s College Choir and read Music at St Edmund Hall. Whilst there, he focused his academic study on opera ranging from its inception through to the twentieth century. His undergraduate dissertation concentrated on Puccini’s Tosca and its European musical and philosophical influences.
In 2012/13, Nicholas was an ambassador for the Royal Opera House, promoting ROH initiatives and productions to the students of Oxford.
Nicholas co-founded Opera Lyrica with director Paola Cuffolo to try to help young singers, musicians, directors, designers, and technicians gain experience in opera as well as to try to increase opera’s audience in general, especially amongst the younger generation.
So far, with Opera Lyrica, Nicholas has produced a double bill of Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor and Die Zauberflöte in Oxford and Sheffield, Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Mozart's Così fan tutte, and an 11 venue tour of the South of England with Handel’s Acis and Galatea. Future Opera Lyrica productions include Verdi's La Traviata and a revival of Mozart's Così fan tutte in May, as well as a revival of the recent double-bill of Blow’s Venus and Adonis and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
Nicholas is also pleased to be a trustee of Opera Prelude, another charity devoted to helping young singers, but through the medium of performance-based lectures.
William Cole - Musical Director - Venus and Adonis, Dido and Aeneas, and Così fan tutte
William Cole was born in London in 1990, and read Music at Clare College, Cambridge where he graduated in 2013 with double First Class Honours. As well as his work with Opera Lyrica, William is Music Director of multi-genre club night Filthy Lucre, and is Trainee Conductor of the Goldsmiths Choral Union. He has also worked with the Melos Sinfonia, Gestalt Arts collective, the Hampshire Sinfonia and all the Cambridge University ensembles in a broad range of orchestral, operatic and choral repertoire, and has worked as assistant to Sir Roger Norrington, Stephen Cleobury and Martin Yates. He has a particular interest in contemporary music, and has given performances of music by Vivier, Scelsi, Feldman, Tansy Davies and Romitelli (UK premiere of Lost), as well as many new works.
Recent performances of William’s compositions have been given by Britten Sinfonia, Piotr Anderszewki, The Hermes Experiment, Peter Sheppard Skaerved, the choirs of Clare and College, Cambridge and Gloucester Cathedral, the Cambridge University New Music Ensemble and the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra, with festival appearances include the Ludlow Festival of English Song, L’Aura des Arts, Nonclassical and the Three Choirs Festival. Winner of the 2013 John Sanders Memorial Competition, his works have been heard at venues across the UK, Europe and in America and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and he is one of today's youngest published composers, with his choral music published by Encore Publications. Future projects include a new horn trio for the Swaledale Festival.
William is also active as a pianist, with recital partners including Stephen Varcoe, and was a Choral Scholar at Clare College. Community work has involved workshops with young children in the south of England as part of the Elastic Band, collaborations with children in Soweto, Johannesburg, and projects with English Touring Opera. He writes for Interlude HK and TEMPO, and holds the position of Choral Director at London’s Youth Music Centre.
Recent performances of William’s compositions have been given by Britten Sinfonia, Piotr Anderszewki, The Hermes Experiment, Peter Sheppard Skaerved, the choirs of Clare and College, Cambridge and Gloucester Cathedral, the Cambridge University New Music Ensemble and the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra, with festival appearances include the Ludlow Festival of English Song, L’Aura des Arts, Nonclassical and the Three Choirs Festival. Winner of the 2013 John Sanders Memorial Competition, his works have been heard at venues across the UK, Europe and in America and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and he is one of today's youngest published composers, with his choral music published by Encore Publications. Future projects include a new horn trio for the Swaledale Festival.
William is also active as a pianist, with recital partners including Stephen Varcoe, and was a Choral Scholar at Clare College. Community work has involved workshops with young children in the south of England as part of the Elastic Band, collaborations with children in Soweto, Johannesburg, and projects with English Touring Opera. He writes for Interlude HK and TEMPO, and holds the position of Choral Director at London’s Youth Music Centre.
Matthew Waldren - Musical Director - La Traviata
Matthew was born in Geneva‚ and studied at the Royal College of Music in London before reading music at Cambridge University, where he now mentors students at Fitzwilliam College. He later studyed as a post-graduate at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After a 10-year career as an opera singer‚ he is swiftly gaining a reputation as a dynamic young conductor. Particularly at home conducting opera‚ he has been described as “a talent to watch”.
Future engagements include La Traviata for Opera Lyrica, Peter Grimes for Co-Opera Co., Lakmé and Alice’s Adventures of Wonderland for Opera Holland Park‚ where he has also conducted critically-acclaimed performances of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Les Pêcheurs de Perles‚ the World Premiere run and subsequent revival of Will Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland‚ Gianni Schicchi‚ Zanetto‚ Rigoletto‚ and Fantastic Mr Fox. 2015 sees the release of the recording of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland conducted by Matthew. In 2012 he was appointed as music director of the inaugural Christine Collins Young Artist Scheme at OHP. Further engagements include The Yeomen of the Guard (Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company‚ National Festival Orchestra)‚ the World Premiere of Strekosa I Muravej, shortlisted in the Flourish Opera Competition (Tête a Tête and Grimeborn festivals)‚ conducting workshops for English National Ballet and working on Carmen with the Royal Opera House Community Chorus.
During his conducting training he was invited to observe conductors such as Sir Antonio Pappano and Sir Mark Elder. Matthew was appointed Chorus Master at Opera Holland Park between 2009 and 2011‚ working on operas including La Bohême‚ Orpheus in the Underworld‚ Pelléas et Melisande‚ Carmen‚ Fidelio‚ Don Giovanni‚ Francesca da Rimini‚ La Forza del Destino‚ L’Amico Fritz‚ Le Nozze di Figaro and Rigoletto. He has worked as a cover conductor for John Owen Edwards‚ Stuart Stratford and Manlio Benzi‚ and worked alongside Sir Mark Elder on Ravel’s Piano Concerto for Left Hand with the Hallé orchestra and Wozzeck at the Royal Opera House.
He regularly conducts opera galas and his work has taken him to eclectic festivals including Watercity‚ Camp Bestival and Harvest. Matthew works regularly with the London Mozart Players and the City of London Sinfonia.
Future engagements include La Traviata for Opera Lyrica, Peter Grimes for Co-Opera Co., Lakmé and Alice’s Adventures of Wonderland for Opera Holland Park‚ where he has also conducted critically-acclaimed performances of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Les Pêcheurs de Perles‚ the World Premiere run and subsequent revival of Will Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland‚ Gianni Schicchi‚ Zanetto‚ Rigoletto‚ and Fantastic Mr Fox. 2015 sees the release of the recording of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland conducted by Matthew. In 2012 he was appointed as music director of the inaugural Christine Collins Young Artist Scheme at OHP. Further engagements include The Yeomen of the Guard (Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company‚ National Festival Orchestra)‚ the World Premiere of Strekosa I Muravej, shortlisted in the Flourish Opera Competition (Tête a Tête and Grimeborn festivals)‚ conducting workshops for English National Ballet and working on Carmen with the Royal Opera House Community Chorus.
During his conducting training he was invited to observe conductors such as Sir Antonio Pappano and Sir Mark Elder. Matthew was appointed Chorus Master at Opera Holland Park between 2009 and 2011‚ working on operas including La Bohême‚ Orpheus in the Underworld‚ Pelléas et Melisande‚ Carmen‚ Fidelio‚ Don Giovanni‚ Francesca da Rimini‚ La Forza del Destino‚ L’Amico Fritz‚ Le Nozze di Figaro and Rigoletto. He has worked as a cover conductor for John Owen Edwards‚ Stuart Stratford and Manlio Benzi‚ and worked alongside Sir Mark Elder on Ravel’s Piano Concerto for Left Hand with the Hallé orchestra and Wozzeck at the Royal Opera House.
He regularly conducts opera galas and his work has taken him to eclectic festivals including Watercity‚ Camp Bestival and Harvest. Matthew works regularly with the London Mozart Players and the City of London Sinfonia.
